Could Lovie Smith become Texans new coach?

Former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith is already on the radar to replace Gary Kubiak in Houston after the Texans fired Gary Kubiak Friday morning.

Texans owner Bob McNair, speaking at the team’s news conference, said he wants to speak to Smith, who is looking to get back into the NFL after sitting out this season. McNair indicated his preference is to hire a coach with previous NFL experience.

Smith, 55, posted an 85-63 record in the regular season in nine years with the Bears. He reached the postseason three times and guided the Bears to Super Bowl XLI. Smith was fired in January with one year remaining on his contract and has been collecting roughly $5 million from the Bears for this year.

The Texans fired Kubiak after losing 27-20 at Jacksonville Thursday night, the 11th consecutive loss for the franchise. Kubiak was 61-64 in seven-plus seasons as the coach and the club entered this year with Super Bowl aspirations.

“Taking action now instead of waiting allows us the process of finding a new coach,” McNair said, according to NFL.com. “That process is under way, and those prospects who are not under contract in the NFL are people we can visit with, so we'll start the process.”

Smith, a Texas native, had interviews after this past season with the Bills, Chargers and Eagles.